Emma Raducanu eyes strong 2025 after inspiring run in Malaga - “I’m excited and itchy to work hard”

Emma Raducanu ready for 2025 season, full of confidence after Billie Jean King Cup performances This week, the world No. 58 secured victories against Jule Niemeier and Rebecca Marino, leading Great Britain to the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals.

The 2021 US Open champion is brimming with optimism for the upcoming season after climbing back from outside the top 300. A 2023 injury sidelined her for nearly nine months, causing a significant drop in the WTA rankings.

"It’s been a work in progress”

A recent injury at the Korea Open forced her to withdraw during her quarterfinal match against Daria Kasatkina and miss the rest of the Asian Swing, including the China Open and Wuhan Open. Nevertheless, her return in Málaga has been promising, with two wins under her belt. She now faces Viktoria Hruncakova of Slovakia on November 19.

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In a recent press conference, Raducanu shared her thoughts on the season ahead: "if anything, i'm excited and just itchy to get on the practice court, and of course seeing some of my performances this week, it just incentivizes me to do more work."

“My assessment is, I think sometimes I need reminding,” she said. “I'm top 60 in the world and I have played less than 15 events, which is pretty unheard of, in a way,” she added.

“There were so many tournaments,” Raducanu added. “I wasn't defending any points at the back end of the year, so of course I wanted to play. I think I just took the time and used it in a really proactive and productive way.

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“Two days ago I served 10 aces, for example, which I did in Seoul in my last match, but it's been a work in progress. It doesn't just happen overnight. Even if I was a little bit, at the time, disappointed, now I feel pretty good, and I don't look back with any regrets.”

“I'm playing some really tough opponents and not to be underestimated by their rankings on these surfaces, because both are very dangerous,” Raducanu said. “I'm really pleased with how I fought and how I'm faring up against these top girls,” the former world No. 10 stated. “I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot with my tennis right now.”